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Juvenile Type 2 Diabetes Prevention

Children with diabetes typically are diagnosed with the Type 1 form of the disease. Type 2 is usually the diagnosis for adults 40 and older. However, Type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent among children, creating awareness about the importance of physical activity and healthier diets as methods of prevention.

  1. Possible Causes

    • Possible contributors to Type 2 diabetes in children are declining physical activity and increasing obesity rates among young people. While Type 2 diabetes is incurable, it can be prevented. Help your children maintain a healthy weight, which can help lower the risk of obesity. Make healthier food choices for your child to help stabilize metabolism and insulin production. Sweet snacks shouldn't be forbidden, but they should be balanced with healthier options at snack time and meal time. Increase physical activity. Children and adolescents should enjoy at least one hour of activity outside every day. This means turning off the TV, computer games and electronics.

    Type 2 Diagnosis

    • Certain demographic groups are also at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes as children and adolescents, including American Indians. For the rest of the population, Type 2 usually develops in people older than 40. Type 2 results from an inadequate production of insulin or from the body's inability to use insulin effectively. Patients with Type 2 diabetes are treated with a combination of diet and exercise and a close monitoring of glucose. Some patients may be prescribed oral medication or insulin.

    Risks of Type 2 Diabetes

    • Proper treatment and healthy lifestyles are important for patients with Type 2 diabetes, who are at increased risk of several health problems, including heart and kidney disease, vision problems and blindness, and nerve damage.

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